Qualcomm Announces Two New S4 SnapDragon Chips

Qualcomm today announced the MSM8625 and MSM8225 chipsets, new S4-class SnapDragon processors that include dual-core CPUs clocked at up to 1GHz, and Qualcomm's Adreno 203 GPU and a built-in 3G modem. Qualcomm says that these new chips will be ideal for manufacturers looking to transition their S1-based smartphone designs straight to S4-grade devices. In addition to the new chips, Qualcomm also announced the third generation of its Qualcomm Reference Design. The QRD is meant to help hardware makers create unique smartphones that can be manufactured in volume, quickly, and inexpensively. Qualcomm explains that the QRD delivers a pre-tested development platform with the hardware components (memory, sensors, touch panels, cameras, displays, etc.) and software applications (browsers, map/navigation, mail, music, instant messaging, etc.) required for basic smartphones already configured. The MSM8625 and MSM8225 chips and QRD platform will be available in bulk during the first half of 2012. QRD development platforms based on both the MSM7x27A and MSM7x25A chipsets are already available.

They will be. When they say 1Ghz, they are referring to the Operating Frequency. This has very little to do with the speed or performance of the CPU. Most manufacturers don't advertise all of the differences to make it simple for the customers.